Most sympathetic answer: When you are taught the myth of the American Dream (that hard work brings a secure, prosperous, and meaningful life), and criticising the myth is unthinkable in your social reference group, but your lived experience does not correspond to that myth, then there is no end to the bizarre explanations your mind can create to explain why the myth AND your life are both true.

< ![CDATA[Most sympathetic answer: When you are taught the myth of the American Dream (that hard work brings a secure, prosperous, and meaningful life), and criticising the myth is unthinkable in your social reference group, but your lived experience does not correspond to that myth, then there is no end to the bizarre explanations your mind can create to explain why the myth AND your life are both true.]]>

< ![CDATA[It was kind of rhetorical question because I feel like I absolutely know why, but I didn't want to sound like an equally-crazy conspiracy theorist.
(I.e., because the wealthy have cultivated this kind of stupidity, as it's very profitable for them.)]]>

My most charitable for-real thought: things are changing radically fast, and technology is a force multiplier for the folks who are looking for answers and explanations for their place in a confusing world.

< ![CDATA[My most charitable for-real thought: things are changing radically fast, and technology is a force multiplier for the folks who are looking for answers and explanations for their place in a confusing world.
And we've really dropped the ball on teaching civics.]]>